2002 Tundra as an expedition Truck? Compared to FZJ80 and Tacoma

[Ramdough]

Ok, I have had an 2002 Tacoma for years now (bought new). I started looking at getting an expedition purpose built vehicle (my Tacoma is also my daily driver).

I thought I would start with an FZJ80 land cruiser and do a diesel swap. Then I saw Soenke's rig (found at this link). I started thinking about how that would be a very nice rig. But, I plan on having a family before I start my build. Therefore I need a back seat. I then thought about using a full FJ-40 as the cab, stretching the frame 12", and adding a camper like his (but probably smaller).

That was bothersome, because I would have to buy two vehicle to end up with one (and a buch of parts).

I also looked at a new model Tacoma and an old T-100 as a base. The New Tacoma had too small of a bed and the T-100 had a pretty small back seat. I even thought about cutting minivan in half, or using a small cargo truck cab to preserve my camper space.

Then I remembed that the 2002 Tundra was only a little bigger than my Tacoma. The Wheel base is 16 inches longer than an FZJ80 but only 6 inches longer than my Tacoma. The Width is about the same as the FZJ80 (9 inches wider than my Tacoma). The length is 27 inches longer than the FJZ80- but only 15 inches longer than my Tacoma.

From there, I thought that I might cut the frame by 12 inches (from the back) and build my camper with a greater overhang (at an angle) off of the back for better departure angle. That would get me about the same camper size, but the departure angle would not be damaged as much.

I like how my Tacoma offroads, so I am thinking the Tundra with 35" tires may be not that bad compared to my Tacoma on 33" tires.

I still would want to do the diesel swap in any vehicle I choose.

So my Question, would the Tundra be a decent base for an expedition truck with just a modest lift and 35" tires? (I have to look into the mods needed to that still)

Also, if I did a SAS (I hate IFS due to the complexity, vulnerabilities, and maintenance), I would become less standard, but my offroad capability may improve. Would that make a decent expedition vehicle?

Please compare my described vehicle to any others, and all comments are welcome. Thanks.

 

[allochris]

hey, if u can wait, tundra is supposed to come out with a diesel in a year or so i think...hopefully a d4d

 

[Ramdough]

Perhaps if the Tacoma came out with a diesel I would consider it. The old Tundra is about the same size as the new Tacoma. The New Tundra is too big for what I am wanting.

Plus, I can afford to buy a used Truck, then cut it up. It would be hard for me to buy a new one, then cut it up.

Thanks for the the suggestion though. I wish Toyota would sell the small diesels here in the US.

 

[RusM]

Here is a thought. Buy the FZJ80, use the money that you would have to do a diesel swap to rebuild/rehab the whole truck and do some expo mods. Now you are $10k ahead of the game (or $5k or so if you are doing your own wrenching). :chef:

 

[Borrego60]

Tundra build up

I started with a stock 03 limited tundra and did what I thing is a solid build up to a off roader. I am pleased with the RCD lift and other items on the rig. It has to earn a spot on my truck and be proven to work and not fail when needed. I will do lockers in the future when funds are in hand but goes anywhere at the moment.Lockers should be scary the way this thing climbs now. Check it out if you have time.http://s162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/RichardDCollier/

 

[Ramdough]

Made a quick picture of my idea.... I am not sure what a good approach, break over, or departure angle is, but this is what I have from a 10 minute concept.

What do you think?

 

[upcruiser]

That looks pretty cool! My question would be, where are you planning on using this truck? North America? Overseas? My only hesitation with the Tundra would be getting parts for it somewhere where it isn't sold or serviced. I've had pretty good luck with my Tundra, an '00 with just a smidge over 150,000 miles on it now. The engine is incredible but compared to my Land Cruiser it doesn't seem as overbuilt or robust. I'm sure going aftermarket would adress alot of that but to me, building an overlander, I'd always want to keep it as stock as possible mechanically to make life easier. But I agree, the size is just right for this kind of stuff. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with on this project.

 

[Ramdough]

Thanks for the compliment. My plan is only North America..... Maybe Central.... but in reality, probably not further South than Mexico. I understand about the parts issues. I thought about modifying a FZJ80 frame and doing a body swap, but then I would be *really* custom. Then the suspension could be near stock.

I was thinking of doing an engine swap to a purely mechanical diesel (4BT). I am still deciding on the transmission, but something overbuilt for my application (NV4500 or 4L80E). Maybe an ATLAS transfer case. I was also thinking of doing a SAS to something common. I just don't like IFS. I see it as a complicated collection of parts that will break first. That would be something I would have to over build for sure.

The end goal is a mostly mechanical drive train with common parts to the US, Mexico, and Canada.

Disclaimer (I may be dreaming of things beyond my budget, but dreaming is within the budget).

My plan is to start with the camper, then armor, then drive train mods.

 

[haven]

As I see it, an ExPo vehicle for a family needs lots of space for people and gear. Families need a setup that provides lots of comfort, security and convenience, particularly when the children are young. I think this situation requires a larger vehicle, so you're on the right track with a full size pickup.

I'd suggest you put aside notions of building a custom vehicle. A crew cab pickup with a pop-up camper on the back will take your family anywhere there's a semblance of a road. If you really want to build a custom off-road vehicle, build a 4 seat buggy and tow it behind the pickup.

Here are details of the F350 camper that forum moderator OutbacKamper assembled for a year-long trip in Australia. You really don't need more vehicle than this to travel throughout North America (which by several definitions includes Mexico).
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=748

Another possibility is a van converted to 4x4, like the Sportsmobile models and the Sprinter conversion described here
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20766

These look like they would work well for a family, but they are very expensive, far beyond the cost of an F350 plus camper.

Chip Haven

 

[Ramdough]

Hey Chip, THank you for your input.

I like building things....If I could buy a reliable Tundra sized truck with a solid front axle and a diesel engine, then that is what I would start with. The camper to me would be fun to build. There is nothing out there like what I want to build. I figure for the cost of buying an off-the-shelf camper, I could buy materials and parts for exactly what I want. My labor is hobby labor, no deadline, just fabrication fun. I imagine the build will take years.

I don't want to build much bigger than what I have mentioned earlier, so no F350 in my future. I just have to be more efficient in my design. Also, I am not thinking of designing for months of travel with the family in desolation. I am wanting a mid-short-range vehicle. ie. one week away from civilization tops and lots of miles in between stops, two weeks to a month max total for a trip. Therefore, I don't see myself going further south than Mexico. Canada is also within range.

Perhaps my wording was off earlier. From my understanding, Mexico is the furthest south country in North America, and Belize & Guatemala are the northern most countries of Central America. (I have also seen maps where Panama is the division between North and South America, but I was not refering to those maps). With that in mind, I doubt I will ever venture to Central America... it is possible, but not likely. I might visit a friend in Guatamala, but who knows.

I am not sure if the Van style vehicle would be top heavy.... they seam like they would roll easily.

RIght now the Tundra is looking good, just don't know how well they handle offroad.

 

[dyogim]

A stock tundra will handle some mild offroading with no problems. Adding a locker (I had a lock right locker for over 5 years and was happy with it) and it can definitely go further.

I'm in the process of building my rig, similar to your needs and already have a solid front axle. There's a few of us tundra owners that have done the conversion. Compared to the others, mine is mildly built. I'm running a hpd44 and the stock rear axle. 4.88's front and rear. Detroit locker in the rear and lock right in the front. rock sliders and front/rear bumpers. I don't plan on doing anything to the engine or tranny/xfer case. Leaving all that stock. Furture plans is to build a removable platform/cover for the bed.

Overall, I think the tundra would be a great start. Once suggestion, if you are looking for one. Look for the later models 03-06. They have less issues. Earlier models had issues with the tranny.

My build will be updated at the website in my sig line if you want to review it.

 

[allochris]

Made a quick picture of my idea.... I am not sure what a good approach, break over, or departure angle is, but this is what I have from a 10 minute concept.

What do you think?

Personally, from using my custom camper in the back over the last 2yrs, i never had any occurance of worrying about my rear departure angle. Especially since I would never see myself rock-crawling in "extreme" angled terrain with a high-centered camper on the rear deck anyway!

Search for allochris camper built in winter 07 for pics. My camper on the flat deck is square 90degrees in the back. What I do have in the back as protection/armor is an intergrated towbar- rear light bumper attached to the frame. In addition, the rear portion of my flatdeck (where camper is mounted onto) is itself another rear bumper, and it sits just 1" rearward from the lower towbar/rear lights bumper below.

I would rather have a flat usable space, easy fabrication, and rear protection to protect the camper backing up, rather than sacrifyzing storage space, time-consumming fabrication (angled back), and zero protection for camper while backing up (especially with the limited/obstructed rear view with a camper on)

hope that helps?

 

[mhiscox]

I am not sure if the Van style vehicle would be top heavy.... they seem like they would roll easily.

The vans are not as top-heavy/unstable as they look. Unless you pile a bunch of stuff on the roof, about all that's toward the top of the vehicle in a full-on camper are some cabinets, their contents and the sheet metal. All of the heavy stuff--fuel, water, batteries, tools, etc.--is still down close to the frame.

On an empty van like Tom's 4x4 conversion, you don't even have that weight, just the roof structure and sheet metal to enclose the van. I doubt, tippy as a Sprinter might look, that it carries as much as 200 pounds of weight above the level of a pickup bed floor.

FWIW, while I wouldn't claim my Sprinter is any sort of sports car, it feels considerably more planted than, say, my Series 80 LC.

 

[Pskhaat]

I plan on having a family before I start my build.

Just food for thought that there are countless projects (an old one of mine included) every year suspended because of new families. Different strokes and all, but it may be worth considering having a backup "just purchase something" plan?

 

[kcowyo]

I love the idea of a Tundra and I love your mock up.

I mean if we're daydreaming then heck, why not?


:smiley_drive:
.